Monday, March 9, 2009

Why I am writing this

I really don’t profess to know a lot about anything. I like to talk politics, law, and religion, but my knowledge of these things is just superficial. However, there is one subject that has been a constant companion of mine, and therefore I have become somewhat of an expert in it; and that subject is race. Not in an anthropological way, but in a sociological way. I have never taken a class on it, but I’ve been an involuntary student of it for the last 28 years. My classroom has been the schoolyard, the street, the church, and wherever else I come into contact with the human race.

While race is becoming less and less of an issue in America since the civil rights movement, it’s still a part of everyone’s lives, especially those who find themselves in the category of “minority.” In some ways, it is a part of my life on a daily basis. I know some of you will think, “But why? Just stop thinking about it so much and it won’t be such an issue anymore.” But it just hasn’t been that simple. Even if I had ignored it with all my might, I wouldn’t have ever been able escape it. I may have been more apathetic, which I have done pretty successfully (well, at least I think so), but because of the way society is, I would have never been able to completely avoid it.

I’m going to try my best to make this blog light-hearted because honestly, most of this stuff is pretty funny, and I really just consider it as part of life and in some ways, no big deal. It’s entertaining stuff. Some of you will relate to me completely, and some, not at all. Some of this stuff will make you mad-either for me or at me. Some of this stuff will make you think that racism is alive and well, while others will think that I am crying over spilled milk. But whatever you think or feel, these are real instances from my life that have made an impact on me in way or another.

In addition to entertainment value, I hope to create a sense of awareness of a social issue that for some people is pretty nonexistent. Racism is often thought of as a thing of the past. I have met countless people who don’t really believe me when I tell them that racism is real and that it is still happening, let alone happening to Asians. In fact, even if they do acknowledge racism, they will almost always think that it only affects African Americans, or that it is a rather rare social malady that is limited to the few sensational stories you hear on the news. While this blog will not contain stories of what sociologists call “classic racism” (lynching, apartheid, and the like), it will be about the everyday, the subtle, even the mundane, and every once in a while the insane things that happen to me because… race happens.

13 comments:

  1. So, can a skinny white boy experience discrimination? :)

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  2. Of course! I discriminate against people like you everyday! :)

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  3. i'm very excited for this blog, jang! i'm prepared to be awed.

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  4. right on...i've blogged on this subject several times in the past and i always find it refreshing to see others as well. i got to experience this from a very unique perspective ( as we all really do ) being flown across the ocean at 6 weeks of age coming from your average western/southern way of life to a tiny town in south korea called gumi or kumi. my first experience with the issue was so odd for me because my first memories as a child i was surrounded by people who were not physically identical to me, but that was "normal" to me. i guess that would explain why i have such a difficult time understanding discrimination and or racism....let me rephrase...i understand the so-called math or the equation that leads to the train of thought, but what i don't understand is the lack of "common sense" that i would hope is hardwired in all of us that sheds light on the true nature of things and in turn the reality as well. surely you can imagine my confusion as my time came to an end in asia and i found myself in the land if pop-tarts and twinkies...:-} i'm sure those things are easy to buy now in korea, but when i was there you had to either get that stuff from your local military px or some shop in the market that someone had gracefully arranged to come from the nearest military px...it makes me think of the many elders i would hear in the streets or outside my home who would be cussin' the ever so increasing "western society" for swallowing the deeply rooted "eastern culture"....i was supposed to and expected to make no effort to pronounce the korean language correctly and disrespect the traditions that had held true for so long, but the reality was i always had a longing to try and understand the culture and every thing about it because it was what seemed right for me...in my mind that's what i was born into so i joined in with my fellow chingoos at the ripe young age of 3 urinating on my local street corner....lol...it's true though!!! we are all products of our environment whether it be a society or a family. the physical aspects are just the wonders of genes and science and have no bearing on a persons status or standing....but you're right....there are still people who cling to views that you would think would be long gone, but ignorance seems to always find it's way into the mind....

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  5. Minerva: Tim, I had no idea that was you! Good to hear from you. Yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about. We just try to conform to our environment. It takes a lot of inner strength to bust out of that lemming syndrome. I think you've come out alright though...
    I think you will bring an interesting perspective to this blog, as a Caucasian who spent much of his life in Korea.

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  6. i think we need to have an opening gala in honor of this blog's birth. :)

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  7. jang- this is an interesting topic-- one that i think is hard to discuss, so i am glad that you are bringing it up and i look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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  8. Jang, you forgot Hispanic in your labels. Is that racism? JK

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  9. Jang- this post has changed me. In fact, look what it did to my hair.

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  10. This is deep . . . and it's just going to get deeper. Lead the charge Mister Jang, esquire.

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  11. Maria,
    When hispanic appreciation month comes, it will be 8 straight posts just on hispanics. :)

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  12. Its like my voice cannot be heard!:)

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